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LUNENBURG, N.S.—High Liner Foods Inc. said it plans to shutter one of its plants in the United States in a bid to reduce excess capacity south of the border.

The Nova Scotia-based frozen fish products maker said it plans to cease production at a leased plant in Malden, Mass., in the second quarter of 2015.

The lease at the plant, which High Liner has been running since it bought Viking Seafoods, Inc. in 2010, is set to expire in December 2015.

“While the decision to cease production at one of our facilities has been difficult, it is necessary to ensure High Liner Foods’ continued ability to grow and compete in a highly competitive and price sensitive market place,” company president and chief operating officer Keith Decker said in a statement.

The suburban Boston plant, which employs 50 full-time staff members, is the least utilized in the company, according to High Liner, with production of around 11.5 million lbs. annually.

Production from the plant, as well as a select number of employees, will be transferred to nearby facilities in New Bedford, Mass., and Portsmouth, N.H.

Decker said the remaining employees “will have the opportunity” to apply for jobs at those facilities.

Pre-tax operating costs are expected to drop by $3 million as a result of the closure, while approximately $1.1 million in after-tax charges are expected.

High Liner operates plants in Portsmouth, New Bedford and Newport News, Va., and Lunenburg, N.S.

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